Thursday, 2 December 2010

This post covers some of the ins-and-outs (oo-er, Matron) of Gothy relationships; mostly useful, perhaps, from a non-Goth's perspective. I'm going to cover some of my least favourite rumours about Goths and dating; some tips for those of you who would like to know how to go about wooing a Goth (what a great word, 'woo'...), and a few helpful links and videos (I'm THAT good to you). ﻿Handy disclaimer: Please bear in mind that this page does talk about sex, albeit in a relatively vague and polite manner, and so may not be suitable for much younger readers. Or my parents (hi Mum, Dad *waves*).﻿

Dead romantic...
Source: Photobucket

﻿﻿Firstly, I'd like to attempt to dispel a few of the more annoying rumours I keep hearing/stumbling across online, regarding Goths and dating (or relationships, sexual or otherwise).

Goths don't date.
Yes, they do. If they want to. Just like anyone else. Newsflash: Goths are people. Ergo, they behave like people. Really.

Goths only date other Goths.
Fair enough, there are some Goths who don't choose to date outside the scene. This can be for myriad reasons - they may not feel 'understood' by non-subcultural types; they may feel they have little in common with non-Goths; they may enjoy dressing up in dashing black attire and hitting the spooky clubs with their significant other.

But around 80% of Goths (according, that it, to a poll I saw online - perhaps not, therefore, the MOST accurate of statistics, but sounds close enough judging from personal experience, people I've talked to and what I've seen 'in the scene') are not hugely bothered by whether their significant other is Goth or not. Many, many Goths are in happy relationships with non-Goths. I had a six-year relationship with a lovely chap who was definitely not Goth at all.

All Goths are up for it.
Some are, some aren't. If you wander into a Goth club and start sleazing over and groping random people, you will most likely get kicked out, just as you would in any other club if your behaviour was inappropriate. I'm sure you are perfectly able to tell when someone is not interested in your advances and know how to behave accordingly, i.e. back off, buster.

Don't assume that any Goth is easy, and please bear the following statement firmly in mind when visiting a Goth club, concert or festival, no matter how pretty or revealing the clothing: "The Goth is not for touching."

All Goths are kinky
I'm pretty sure you will have already learned that what is true for one person may not be true for another. Yes, this applies to Goths as well.

Because of the crossover between the Goth scene and the BDSM scene, many people assume that Goths are up for anything. This is a bit like suggesting that everyone who owns a pair of Ugg boots prefers the same sexual position. Belonging to the subculture does not mean favouring the same sexual preferences - everyone is different.

Many Goths dress in fetish or BDSM-inspired styles for a night out at the club (for example: PVC dresses, spiked collars, wrist shackles, 'dominatrix' boots, stockings and suspenders). Because a Goth club is primarily a place to dance, listen to music, see and be seen, rather than to hook up (unless it's a speed-dating night, OBVIOUSLY), this is considered a fashion statement rather than an advertisement of one's preferences, and therefore not an indicator that the person wishes to be touched or engage in certain activities. Because of the lack of discrimination and judgement in the Goth subculture, both men and women feel able to wear whatever they like without assumptions being made about them.

Of course, at a fetish night or in the bedroom, these clothes may mean something different, but that's a whole other story and not one I particularly intend to cover in a blog post. Basically, just because someone is wearing a spiky collar and skintight PVC to a Goth club does not mean she's into S&M.

NOTE: as pointed out by a commentor, just because a club is primarily a place to dance rather than to hook up DOES NOT MEAN that hooking up doesn't happen. Occasionally in public. However, I feel that this is something true for all boozy nightclubs and not just the ones with the fog machines. Goths just seem to drink more cider and thereby suffer worse hangovers (my tip - toffee apple cider, the ultimate perkygoth drink).

Goths drink each other's blood during sex
Because of the links between Goth and the 'vampyre' subculture/lifestyle (more coming soon on this), it is often assumed that Goths indulge in blood play (cutting each other or drinking each other's blood during sex). (Note: this is the age of AIDS, kids. Blood-drinking = not your best idea.) Because of Goth's open-mindedness (yes, that again), there is a general consensus that 'what takes place between consenting adults stays between said adults', but since most Goths (and most vampyres, come to that...) a) do not believe they are vampires, b) do not have any particular affinity for blood (I have a tendency to faint if someone gets a nosebleed in my general vicinity), and c) do not like the idea of or take part in cutting themselves or other people, I would draw the conclusion that this is very unlikely in 99% of cases.

Yes, I really like brackets.

Lately, I have also seen many articles on WikiHow with titles such as "How to get a Goth guy to like you (even if you're not Gothic)" and "How to win the heart of a Goth girl". I would guess (or should that be 'hope'?) that many of these are written tongue-in-cheek or from personal experience, making them about an even mix of amusing and sweet. However, I would like to point out that 'winning the heart' of your 'dark love' is really not all that different than wooing a 'normal' girl or guy. A big bouquet and a box of chocolates is still an acceptable gift (although the flowers don't necessarily have to be alive). Asking someone out for coffee or to the cinema is still perfectly reasonable. It doesn't have to be all graveyard picnics and bouquets of carnivorous plants (although many Goths would appreciate either of the above).

Some tips from these articles that I did like were the following:
"Know what Goth is. Try to read up a bit on what goth is, using good sources. Wikipedia is always a good place to start, but it might help to look at some sites that were made for Goths as well. Explore the scene and see if you can find something more that you like about it than the pretty women." I certainly don't think that you should 'become Goth' to attract a mate, but if you're assuming that your beloved is into devil worship and blood sacrifice, you'll probably get off on the wrong foot.

"Learn about her interests and hobbies. Just because she is goth does not in any way limit her to only do goth stuff. You might find that you have a lot more in common than you first thought!" This is very true. Goths don't only do things that make them seem oh-so-spooky and full of darkness. For example, I play badminton with my Dad. Every Monday. (But yes, my sportswear is all black...) Also, I have read The Devil Wears Prada at least three times.

"Treat her like you would any other girl, you'll find that she's probably not very different."

To sum up, approach a Goth the same way you would any other possible romantic interest. However, it can be nice to give a gentle nod to your beloved's subcultural inclinations - it shows that you're not worried or made uncomfortable by the fact your loved one is Goth and reassures them that they would not be expected to 'change' to have a possible relationship with you. (Teenage Gothlings often worry they will not be attractive to 'normal' members of the opposite sex - or the same sex, whichever floats your pirate ship - because of their dark attire. Older Goths feel that they will be expected to 'hurry up and grow out of it'. Showing that you respect them as they are is likely to earn you many, many brownie points.)

So whilst you don't need to impress your loved one by reciting poetry by candlelight, taking her to the funeral home or sending her bunches of dead roses, and you definitely should not change yourself (put down that black hair dye, right now...), some of your gifts or dates could be a little more spooky.
Spooky gifts:
A gothic necklace (NOT Halloween jewellery, it can be tacky and is likely to fall apart)
A heart-shaped box filled with Halloween sweets
A bunch of deep red roses
A book of dark poetry
A mix CD of dark/Goth music
A handmade bracelet
...use your imagination.

Spooky dates:
Cemetery picnics. Cliche, but sweet.
A concert - make sure it is a band that you BOTH enjoy.
The cinema (works for everyone).
If your town has a small, little-known, out-of-the-way coffee shop (every town seems to have one of these, I think it's a rule), go there. Double points if it doubles as an art gallery or bookstore.

7
comments:

Haha I love the goth rumours, especially the ones about dating (eg. The kid from American Dad and his Goth girlfriend Debbie :p)

But if anyone has ever been to a goth event, especially one where alcohol is servere, the rumours about goths not dating/hooking up/ touching will be completely blown out the window and shat on by some large variety of dinosaur. I myself even admit to a makeout sesh in a goth club *blushes* sorry if that was a bit tmi :P

Oh and speaking of kinky, I went on the most FUCKED UP date with this guy who must have assumed all goth girls were as into Kink as he was. What a freak... I mean who asks how many sexual partners someone has had, talks non-stop about kink, invites a prostitute along and suggests we visit a kink party on the first date during the day at a well known, far-from-trashy cafe? Oh well, he was working towards a degreee in gender studies anyway *cough* loser *cough* Yeah he's gonna get a great career with that...not

I've witnessed shocking things in clubs, but they weren't goth ones :P Yeah, in comparison to the trashy establishments I used to attend as a student, Chrome (the goth night they had once a month) was pretty tame.

Haha I'm seriously reading your reply as I sip one of my various morning cups of english breakfast and I find myself wishing more people would offer me a cup of tea instead of some whip and/or handcuffing related sexual encounter. Sigh, I'm such a prude, I think I should have been English :P

Hahaha, but seriously, hearing about the details of how a prostitute categorises specific sexual acts as either 'Boyfriend Only' and 'Free-for-all' is not nearly as interesting as one might think...

Ah man, brings me back when I had the hots for this goth boy. I was 16(he was too) but was taken :( but I was afraid he wouldn't like me coz well Im a gamerchick/geek/modest and love some anime. He on the other hand aint no gamer :/ I thought *sigh* he wouldnt get me coz I luv gaming. But oh well I was like 'well I at least have a goth friend xD' then it turns out they broke up(she a damn a skank 2 be exact; she was goth coz he was poser and now we're 2gether LOL for 7yrs :) and yes I love the goth aesthetic just cant go for it coz I love other things too xD so I just wear whatever lol

About Me

Amy Asphodel

My best friends say I'm girly which makes no sense because I don't even brush my hair. I had my first kiss in a glade of bluebells. My favourite perfume is vanilla which makes sense because old books smell of vanillin. I will hug anything that stays still long enough and firmly believe that life's too short for boring clothes. I really like to dance. I love stories, fluffy jumpers, bonfires, stars and tea. I know all the best people and am lucky to call them my friends and family. I seem to own a ridiculous amount of socks. I believe that normality is overrated and tattoos are art. I wear too much scent and play music too loud. I don't believe in perfection. I would probably be an evil genius if I could just stop putting my handbag in the fridge. I own bloomers and a top hat (or four). I'm not sure I believe in karma but I do like to be on the safe side. I may seem quiet when you first meet me but that's just how I lure my victims.